NuTone Intercom System

[bluejay]

I just procured a giant NuTone intercom system from a home being remodeled. The entire system is from the early 60s. Has anyone here ever installed these and if so, how difficult is this going to be? I can post pictures once I get on a proper PC, but the unit has a control center, a radio, a record player, and a reel to reel.

 

[g3bill]

Think I have one somewhere but only has the am/fm and intercom has maybe 8 stations, cant really remember, think theres a metal box that fits between studs. I do believe they were usually installed when the house was built as wires need to go to each room plus patio or garage also. To retro install think you'd have to use those long drill bits like the alarm installers use, if on a raised foundation much easier. I guess they were nice when working?

 

[tennblondie78]

My house, built in 1981, had a NuTone system. The Master had been damaged and didn't work so I regretfully pulled the system out before I knew better. Now I want another one. I just need the master unit and a few satellites; I already have wires run in the walls. I'm jealous of your set, BlueJay!

 

[chachp]

My house has one too.

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">But mine doesn't have all the extra goodies that yours has.  What a fun find that is.  I never use mine because it has an AM/FM radio on it but who listens to those anymore?  Well that may be the wrong thing to say in this crowd.  I'll say I never listen to it anymore.  When I turn it on it's hard to really tune into much of anything.  Mine is functional except for one in the Master Bedroom that doesn't seem to want to work.  Not sure why.  I never really investigated.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">My house was built in 1969.</span>

 

[bluejay]

Thanks! These are probably from '64 when the house they came from was built. I'm guessing this will be a fairly large project.

 

[bluejay]

This is the radio unit. The system wasn't used much. I got to use it prior to purchase, so I know it was working prior to it being pulled.

 

[bluejay]

This is the control station.

 

[petek]

The first time I ever saw one was in my aunts new house in Poughkeepsie. I was probably around 8 y.o. at the time so bout 64-65. It only had the am/fm. and probably drove everyone crazy playing with it. A few have come into our restore here over the years but I pass on them since there's no way it's ever going to be installed

 

[paulg]

The phono is a VM

OK, Phono is a VM (The Voice of Music), so you are good for parts etc.
If NuTone sourced the record changer from VM, there is a good chance the tape recorder is also VM.
Will need a picture though.
Don't know how hard it would be to install, but it would probably be best that you prototype it on the bench to make sure it works before installing it.
Fabulous system!

 

[cadman]

These Nutone setups are especially nice during the holidays as you can pipe music throughout the house for parties or weekends, but as an intercom they tend to be more a showpiece than anything. For one, the master unit has to be turned on for any of the remotes to work, and the early units are vacuum tube based so imagine running that 24/7. The remotes also need to be individually switched in the On position which means if you are playing any music, that remote is forced to hear it too, or if someone tries to talk back to the base unit but the switch is off there, you're out of luck. The remotes in my parents place have individual volume knobs so if that room happens to be turned down, the intercom call won't come through either.

The neatest thing is probably the outdoor intercom remote which lets you talk/listen at the doorbell from the master. But then most people would probably just answer the door ; ) -C

 

[perc-o-prince]

Rich's grandparents installed one here. It's regularly used for piping music through the house. We have the main stereo system downstairs hooked into it so anything that's hooked up to the receiver, like the CD changer, can be played through it.

Chuck

 

[bluejay]

Paul, I don't believe the system had the reel-to-reel.  I found the '64 catalog and there was a record storage cabinet that could also double as a reel-to-reel storage cabinet.

 

Also, just the 4 main units would have been $648.90 in '64!  I knew these were high-end systems back then, but I tallied up what I procured from the home and it came to roughly $1500 in '64.  Using the handy government inflation calculator, the 4 main units would be close to $5K in today's money, with the system as I have it being close to $12K.  I didn't pull any of the outdoor equipment, as the outdoor units are in rough shape and we just answer our door.

 

[bluejay]

As for installation, I'm hoping that it won't be too beastly.  We're pulling down some panelling downstairs and replacing with drywall; the control units are going to go on that wall, which means the speakers will need to be fished, but at least the control units will go in as if the home was being built. 

 

[arbilab]

Our last 2 family houses (1957 and 1964) had intercoms. I played with them (natcherly) but can't recall a single time they were "used". Music "quality" is that of a clock radio. Maybe a noodge better as the wall provides a baffle.

Your commage may vary. The system shown is TOL; ours weren't.

 

[nanook]

Sounds Like a Fun Project

I know the horizontal size of earlier Nutone master stations was wider than would fit between standard 16" on center studs - don't know if that applies with this model - but would be simple to figure out.  Also, in spite of the fact this unit may have cost a chunk of change back in 1964, Nutone took a decided backseat to Rittenhouse when it came to good design, sound quality, etc.  Their (Nutone) typical units are 'okay', not great. (You may need to replace many electrolytic capacitors if the unit produces hum).  Perhaps this more "sophisticated" unit allowed their engineers to properly-design the electronics so the sound matches the premium cost charged. 

 

[artcurus]

4-6AQ5 = about 10 watts per channel.

 

[kirkwood]

I have that system

I moved into my house in 2010, the unit was dead. Tried a new set of tubes, there was arcing on one of the tube bases across pins, rectifier tube overloaded almost immediately. Probably bad capacitors.

Space Age Electronics in Canton OH quoted me about $200 for repair, but the system would likely need their "excessive damage repair" which has bench time added. Also I would have had to send both the radio and the master.

Ended up finding a new-to-me master station on ebay, switched them out. Took about a week of tinkering a few hours a night and now system is working great. Had to replace one 12AX7 tube for the "B" channel right off the bat and the 12AU7 tube after about 5 months.

This system sounds great, you should check your radio to see if it is the 2402 model (mono) or the N-2402 model with multiplexing (stereo)

I have the service manuals but they are also online here and there, can send you links if you haven't found them. Also I have picked up bits and pieces (wire and speakers) over the past 4 years from ebay and cl.

 

[firedome]

these were fairly elaboreate hence expensive,

but not hi-end in the Hi-Fi sense of the word, the pre-amp/amplifier/tuner section, transformers, and turntable, speakers etc, were not designed for serious listening but more for background music. My guess is that VOM supplied the amp/tuner section as well. They made some middling consoles around the same time. That said it's an interesting set-up, very flexible, and an usual and great find!

 

[firedome]

these were fairly elaborate hence expensive...

but not hi-end in the Hi-Fi sense of the word... the pre-amp/amplifier/tuner section, transformers, and turntable, speakers etc, were not designed for serious listening but more for background music. My guess is that VOM supplied the amp/tuner section as well. They made some middling consoles around the same time. That said it's an interesting set-up, very flexible, and an unusual and great find!